Since its introduction last year, Prius v has been a hit with consumers, offering the benefits of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive along with comfortable seating for five and nearly 60 percent more cargo space than a Prius Liftback. For young families with active lifestyles, Prius v’s versatility and practicality make it an appealing platform for either daily commutes or weekend outings—and its EPA-rated fuel efficiency is easy on their budget, too.

But Ford has introduced a new challenger with the C-Max Hybrid, based on the global Focus platform.  If you’re shopping for a hybrid vehicle here are some reasons to look at the Prius v over the Ford C-Max Hybrid.

• Do you need extra cargo space and versatility, Prius v is the clear choice – it has nearly 10 more cubic feet of rear cargo capacity than C-Max Hybrid
• Prius v offers sliding/reclining rear seats and custom passenger and cargo configurations.
• The Prius v was ranked among the top three compact MPVs in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study™ for 2012.
• Prius v was named a Best Overall Value for 2012 by IntelliChoice®
• Prius v offers display audio with touch-screen controls, and Bluetooth® wireless hands-free technology and iPod® connectivity. With C-Max Hybrid, by contrast, touch-screen interactivity is a $2,000 option!
• Prius v offers a backup camera standard. On C-Max Hybrid, it’s a $1,695 option
• Prius v comes standard with Elecronic Brake-force Distribution and Hill Start Assist.
• Prius v was a 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick

And like all members of the Prius family, Prius v comes standard with Toyota’s Star Safety System™, which includes technologies such as Hill Start Assist Control, a “brake hold” function that helps keep a vehicle from rolling backwards when the driver pulls away on a hill. Pruis v also offers convenience and safety options such as Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Pre-Collision System (PCS), for added driver peace of mind.

The Prius first went on sale in 1997 making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The Toyota Prius, which has not only been on the market longer any of its competitors, has managed to push beyond its original niche status and become a best seller around the globe.

Find out why the Prius is the #1 selling hybrid in the world by taking a 2013 Prius v for a test drive at Labadie Toyota dealership in Bay City MI.  Labadie Toyota proudly serves drivers from Saginaw, Midland, Bay City, and beyond and helps you find that great new Toyota that you had your eye on.  Whether you are from Bay City, Saginaw, Midland, Mt Pleasant, Birch Run, or Chesaning we hope you will give us a chance to show how Labadie Toyota is the best Toyota dealer serving all of mid-Michigan.

With gas prices hovering around $4.00 in mid-Michigan and the predictions for higher prices as we move into summer, it is perfect timing for the Toyota Prius c to hit the showroom floor.

Boasting 53 MPG in the city this gas friendly Prius has a different look and lower price tag.  But don’t let the price tag fool you.  The Toyota Prius c is loaded with comfort and technology features.  As with other Prius models, Prius c combines its revolutionary Hybrid Synergy Drive® with excellent aerodynamics to achieve outstanding fuel efficiency.

The Toyota Prius c offers an unexpected level of convenience, capability and technology in a compact hybrid-electric at an attractive price. Bluetooth^® hands-free phone connectivity, steering-wheel audio controls, and nine airbags will be among the standard features on the 2012 Toyota Prius c.

Plus you will enjoy a new dimension of connectivity courtesy of the available Toyota Entune™ multimedia system.  Entune™ leverages the mobile smartphone to provide a richer in-vehicle infotainment experience with fully integrated access to navigation, entertainment, and information services.  It allows users to connect with popular apps such as Bing™, OpenTable.com, and movietickets.com.  Entune™ also provides access to real-time information services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, and sports. The Prius c also offers voice recognition, music streaming, and email/text to speech capabilities.

Toyota Entune™ brings one of the largest selections of music options available to a vehicle, including iheartradio’s 750+ stations and Pandora® internet radio’s personalized music. In addition, the driver’s personal songs from portable media players and iPods (via USB or Bluetooth® audio streaming), and more than 170 stations from SiriusXM™ satellite radio are also available.

This is all nice to talk about but the true test is when you drive one.  Stop into Labadie Toyota in Bay City, MI today and take a test drive.  Labadie Toyota is conveniently located just off I-75 only minutes from Saginaw and Midland.

There’s more “green” to the 2012 Toyota Prius than just saving gas!

The available JBL® GreenEdge™ system combines a variety of new eco-sensitive technologies to achieve dramatic advances in audio technology. Offering increased performance, reduced power consumption and a lower system weight — not to mention reduced packaging requirements — the GreenEdge™ system is a substantial upgrade over conventional audio systems.

Even the headlights are “green.” Eco-sensitive, that is. Available LED (light-emitting diode) headlamps produce a clean white light, offer extremely long life and require 20 to 30 percent less energy than traditional headlamps, further enhancing the overall efficiency of Prius v.

The seats in Prius v are available with supple SofTex material. SofTex weighs about half as much as genuine leather, and its manufacturing process generates approximately 99% fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) than that of conventional synthetic leather.

These are just a few more reasons why any environmentally conscious car buyer will want the 2012 Toyota Prius V!  Now available to lease or own at Labadie Toyota in Bay City Michigan.

Fusion is Ford’s entry in the hybrid market. And truth be told, it’s a solid effort, representing a modern take on the American mid-size sedan with the added benefits of a hybrid powertrain. If a shopper is determined to buy from one of the Detroit-3, then Fusion is a good bet.

However, if the shopper is looking for the best hybrid on the market, that person is going to look at the Toyota Prius. And the Toyota can make a compelling case for itself, because Prius has functional and economic benefits that Ford can’t match. Those who shop for the best will buy a Prius.

Fusion Hybrid is offered in a single grade that is price competitive with Prius Five. Prius has a range of grades at attractive price points that can save a Fusion Hybrid shopper significant amounts of money while still offering all the technology and economy of a hybrid.

Fusion is a conventional sedan with a separate trunk, but Prius uses a liftback design. Not only can the wide liftback opening make it easier to load and unload cargo, it also contributes to Prius’ smooth aerodynamics.

Prius Five indulges its passengers with standard leather-trimmed seating surfaces front and rear. Though it lists for almost the same money, Fusion provides only cloth seating surfaces—leather is an extra-cost option.

Add it up, and Prius is the winner, having a cargo volume about 80% larger than Fusion’s. More cargo room, combined with the flexibility and convenience of its liftback and folding rear seatbacks, makes Prius the practical choice.

Some sedans have folding rear seatbacks, but not Fusion. Its fixed rear seatback can make it difficult to carry long cargo such as skis, ladders or surfboards. Prius excels by having a 60/40 split-folding design to maximize versatility.

Fusion has one-touch windows for the front-seat occupants, as does Prius. But what about rear-seat passengers? Prius has one-touch windows for them, too. Fusion does not.

Prius Three, Four and Five boast standard JBL® Premium Audio, including eight speakers, satellite radio capability and Bluetooth® wireless technology for hand-free phone capability. Fusion’s standard audio system isn’t as full-featured.

Prius provides steering-wheel buttons to operate some of the heating and air conditioning (HVAC) functions, giving the driver fingertip control. Fusion does not. Of course, Prius also provides full HVAC controls on the dashboard.

Prius Five uses energy-efficient LEDs for brakelights and auto-leveling low-beam headlights. LEDs illuminate faster than filament bulbs, use less energy and often last longer. Fusion uses filament bulbs all-around.

Prius was awarded a prestigious “2010 Best Overall Value of the Year” award from IntelliChoice for the eighth year in a row. The website further notes that Prius is a “consistent value leader.” Fusion did not make the awards list.

J.D. Power and Associates rated Prius the “Most Dependable Compact Car” three years in a row.  For customers, this is more evidence that Toyota’s experience with hybrid technology delivers tangible benefits throughout
the vehicle’s life.

Saginaw and Midland residents can test drive a new Toyota Prius and experience the quality at Labadie Toyota in Bay City Michigan.

At the Detroit Auto Show the Volt was impressive!  It had huge crowds and won the NAIAS “Car of the Year” award.

Volt is Chevrolet’s new plug-in hybrid. For a new car, it has had an unusually long and public development cycle. The car was first previewed as an auto-show concept in 2007 and has made repeated appearances since then as development continued. From both image and political standpoints, GM has a lot riding on the success of this car.

With the 2011 Chevrolet Volt what do you get with the hefty $41,000 price tag?
Engine: AC motor 1.4L 4-cyl gas engine
Transmission: Single speed Driveline Front-wheel drive
Standard Features: Dual-stage front airbags, Front seat-mounted side airbags, Side curtain airbags, Driver and front passenger knee airbags, Anti-lock brakes, Brake-force distribution, Brake assistance, Stability control, Traction control, Regenerative braking, 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, 40/40 split-folding rear bucket seat backs, Air conditioning, Bluetooth®2 technology hands-free phone link, AM/FM/CD/MP3/XM®/AUX audio system with 7 speakers, Navigation system, Keyless entry, Remote engine start, Power windows, Power door locks, Cruise control, Tilt steering column, 17-inch wheels, Tire repair kit

Compare this in price to a 2011 Toyota Prius III which has more features (V.I.P. Security, voice-controlled DVD navigation, auto-dimming mirror and remote engine) for $27,807!  WOW that’s a lot of savings over the Volt!

Prius Advantages:

• No plug required – Because Volt’s engine never fully recharges the batteries, owning the car can work only for people who have convenient access to electrical power whenever they need it. Prius doesn’t impose any extra conditions like that.
• Five-minute fill-up – For Volt, a recharge can take anywhere from four to ten hours, depending on the recharging voltage. For Prius, a fill-up takes about five minutes at a convenient gas station.
• More room inside -  Prius has long been known for providing more room inside than seems possible from the outside. Head and leg room are critical to many shoppers, and these are measurements where Prius shines.
• 5-passenger seating -  Volt’s battery pack runs down the center of the cabin floor, including the space where a rear-seat middle passenger would sit. So Volt is a fourseater. Prius is a true five-seater.
• Millions of hybrids sold -  No company has more experience with alternative powertrains than Toyota. In fact, more than 2.8 million HSD vehicles have been sold worldwide. Drivers can have confidence in the experience and engineering that goes into every Prius.

Major advantage – Toyota Prius is a multiple-award winner:  For years, Prius has been recognized for its economy, value, dependability and safety. Volt’s new technology will need some time to prove itself. Here are some organizations that have given accolades to Prius.

• IntelliChoice
• J.D. Power and Associates
• MotorWeek
• Edmunds.com and Parents Magazine
• Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
• WhatGreenCar.com
• R.L. Polk & Co.
• U.S.News & World Report
• Forbes.com
• Cars.com
• MotorIntelligence
• Popular Mechanics
• Kelley Blue Book
• Automotive Leasing Guide
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Saginaw, Midland and Bay City area residents can test drive the cutting edge technology and gas saving pleasure of the 2011 Toyota Prius at Labadie Toyota in Bay City, MI.